The 2026 Winter Olympics have ended with the closing ceremony extinguishing the flame in Verona, Italy, last Sunday. A lot has happened in the last 17 days, with Games featuring 116 medal events across 16 disciplines. With all of these events I want to review the Olympic Games in my opinionated style by reviewing what my top five hot takes are.
#1: I approve of Snoop Dogg being the NBC Olympic Ambassador
The Winter Games are generally viewed less than the Summer Olympics. While the Summer Games boasts over 3 billion viewers the Winter Games has an average of 1.9-2 billion viewers. However, it has been noted that after the Winter Olympics this year there has been a significant viewership resurgence. I think Snoop Dogg has a lot to do with this.
He carried the Olympic torch through Gallarate, Italy. He slid a curling stone. He wore a fur coat while driving a Zamboni. He even sent restaurant owners tickets to the men’s snowboard halfpipe final after a decline in credit card incidents. He brought the hype and kept the world watching, or at least America. There’s no one else who could have brought the hype the Winter Olympics needed. I’m proud as an American that he was Team USA’s first-ever honorary coach.
Some may argue that there are more relevant people who could have been in this position, but I believe that truly there was no one better. We needed his hype. We needed his vibe. He went beyond being just a famous face and united our country together with his swag.
#2: I’m proud of the Olympians
Condoms have always been an issue for the Olympians, when you put the world’s most fit in the same village it’s hard to resist. However, this year the Olympic village ran out of condoms on day three. Yes, 2,800 Olympians blew through 10,000 condoms in three days. I’ll let you do the math there.
Some might say that this fact is concerning or that the athletes should be focused on winning medals. I, too, asked how they had the time to do this. Yet I find myself with a sense of pride. I think that it’s great for the athletes to make memories in the village. The amount of work they put into even qualifying for these events… they should be making memories. Some people just want memories of different things. Nonetheless, I put my stamp of approval on these kinds of memories as well. As long as they’re having fun and being safe.
The Olympic Village was restocked with condoms after they ran out so it’s good they’re still safe.
#3: I stand with Vladyslav Heraskevych
Heraskevych is a Ukrainian skeleton racer who was disqualified 45 minutes prior to his competition due to wearing a “helmet of remembrance” that featured images of 24 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who were killed in the war with Russia. The International Olympic Committee identified Heraskevych’s helmet as violation of the rules due to representing political propaganda. The IOC offered alternatives such as wearing a black armband to mourn the deceased, but Heraskevych refused. He was since disqualified from competing in the Olympic Games this year.
While it is to be recognized that the IOC offered alternatives, I think that this helmet does not qualify as political propaganda and thus does not violate the rules of the IOC. Death is not political; honoring those who have died is not political as well. This helmet should have been accepted just as the black armband would have been if he had decided to wear it. I respect that Heraskevych wanted to honor those who have died in a specific way and show the faces of those who have died. I respect that he wanted to represent them in a way that would be more personal.
#4: Sturla Holm Lœgreid just wants clout
Lœgreid is a Norwegian biathlete who after winning bronze in his event admitted in a post-race interview to how he cheated on his girlfriend. He admitted how she “might not be watching” but said that he hoped committing this social suicide would win her back. He sorrowfully stated, “I accept the consequences of what I’ve done. I regret it with all my heart.”
To be honest, watching the interview made me just see him as someone who wants clout. It is known that the fastest news is something that is able to gossip, something that is shocking, something that stands out. He did exactly that. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe that he’s actually sorry. In an interview with his ex, she also admitted that she did not like him telling the whole world about their business. Airing dirty laundry is one way to get clout, I don’t know if it’s a way to get a girl back.
#5: I would have done the same as Hunter Huss
American athletes were asked persistently questions about President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and how they feel represented a country whose politics are increasingly controversial throughout the games. Freeskier Hunter Hess is one of the many American athletes that I think is handling these quest
Freeskier Hunter Hess represents America in a manner that I find admirable. In an interview Hess stated “there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and think a lot of people aren’t…. But just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” He furthered by explaining that he is proud to represent America and his “friends and family back home, and all the things that I believe are good about the United States.” Trump’s response was to call him a “loser.” Hess’ teammates called for unity in response to this and Hess chose to do so during his halfpipe qualifying competition by flashing an “L” on his forehead and saying that he continues to stand by his statement.
Responding in this manner as an athlete of the United States is something I believe I would have done as well if put in the same position. While not agreeing with Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, I do continue to love this country and the people that make it up beyond what our federal government is currently doing. To represent the United States at this moment is a difficult position to be put in when on the world stage. To hold by your own beliefs and clarify why you are still representing your country with pride beyond the issues we are facing is something I believe should be looked at as noble.